fielders choice since 1994

Last Sunday as the Cubs punched their ticket to the World Series against Kershaw in NLCS Game Six, I had so many emotions as someone who grew up in a family of Cub fans near Chicago:

Astonishment that such a thing had occurred. Joy that both my parents were alive, and also that I had watched the clinching game with my children as they held balls signed by their current heroes Ben Zobrist and John Mallee. Sadness that I might not be there to share the World Series moment with my parents, sister, and my brother visiting from Germany. And also frustration that a strict parenting schedule would have my children at their mother’s house next weekend when we might watch the WS games live from Wrigley Field.

So I looked at airfares—which were cheap—and I booked a flight home to Chicago. That was Sunday, and my children—ages 7 & 4—were supportive, they intuitively understand how special visits home are for me. They really like being there too, and had just been with me for three weeks in September. Though Tuesday at 7am as I left for the airport, I was still a bit uncertain about the expense and time missed with my children. But plans had been made.

On the plane I was seated next to a lovely older Australian couple who were visiting America for the first time and going to Disneyland in Anaheim, California. As it turned out, of all the dozens and dozens of hotels near Disney that they could stay at…they were booked into the very same property that Simone Wearne and I use for all our Aussie Sparks youth softball and baseball tours to that area. An incredible statistical improbability. As my friend Sue Reid might assure me, I could relax and know that I was on the exact path I was meant to be on.